Match-box



P. SEILR.

MATGH BOX. Patented Nov. 21, 189,3..

(N Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PHILIPP EILER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.V

MATCH-cox.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 509,051, dated November 21, 1893 Application iiled October l 1892. Serial No, 449,535. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, PHILIPP SEILEE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Match-Boxes; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will .enable others skilled in the art to which it ap-A pertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates toa novel construction in boxes or receptacles for holding matches, cigarettes, cigars, and the like, the object being to provide a device of this construction that ca-n be manipulated with one hand .to partially project a match, or the like, so that it can be removed.

The invention consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described and specifically claimed. 'j

In the accompanying drawings illustrating my invention,-Figure 1 is a side elevation of a match-safe constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a Side elevation with the parts moved into the first position toproject a match. Fig. 3 is a side elevation with modified form of construction embodying my invention. Figs. 11 and 12'are sectional views taken respectively on the lines 11-11 and 12-12 of Fig. 10.

It will, of course, be understood that a\box constructed in accordance with my invention can be used to hold matches, cigarettes, vcigars, and like articles, but for convenience of illustration I have only shown match and cig'- arette boxes, it being understood of course that the invention can be applied as found desirable. v

Referring now to Figs. l to 9 of said drawings, which illustrate a match box,.A and B indicate the two members or parts composing -ing at the side edge a iiange 1.

the box, they member A being the match holding member, and the member B being the cover and ejector. As shown in Figs. 4 and 9 the member A is a flat, rectangular box with one side cut away at one end, but leav- At the other edge of the box the end piece 2 is provided with an opening 3 through which the matches can be ejected. The matches are held between the sides of the box and are inserted through the cut-away side referred to. A bent plate spring 4 is located within the box and bears against the rear edge of the box and against the matches to keep them in contact with the other edge of the box, so that if one match is removed, said lspring will serve to move the others forward, it being noted that said box is just wide enough to hold one line of matches. j The cutaway side of the box is provided at its edge adjacent to the opening 3 with a slot 5 that extends from the bottom of the box and communicates at its other end with a slot 6 in the side 7 of the box. The bottom 8 of the box adjacent to the slot 5 is recessed or depressed as at 9, for the purpose hereinafter described. The 'member B forming the cover or ejector is about the same size as the member A and is provided along one side and one end with overhanging iianges l0 and 11, and on the other side of the cover adjoining the loverhanging flange llv is an overhanging flange 12 that is about the length of the slot 5.'- A n opening 13 is made in the lfiange 11 at itsjuncture with the flange 10. The end 14 of the cover which is not provided with a flange,` is provided adjacent to the flange 10 with a lug 15 (Fig. 9).

The parts are put'together in the following manner: They are irst placed in the relative y position shown in Fig. 9, and then by turning the member B over upon the member A, the iiange 10 will embrace the side edge of the box while the lug l5 will pass through the slot Gand enter slot 5.` The parts will IVOO ters the depression 9. It Will thus be seen that the two members are held from lateral separation but are yet capable of a relative longitudinal movement with the lug 15 of member B sliding in slot 5 of member A. When said lug is located within the depression 9 the spring 4 will force a match against the adjacent end of the box Awith its end over said lug, as will be obvious, and by then moving said parts longitudinally to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 6 the member A will carry the other matches with it, while the lug 15 will force the match it encounters through the opening 5 in the box A, and then by sliding the members back to their original position as shown in Figs. 3 and 7, the matchwill beforced through the opening 13 as shown, and can be removed. At the same time the lug 15 moves back into the depression 9 and under another match. It will be noted that the match box can be manipulated with one hand. The side of the member A adjacent to the member B is cut to forni alp 16, Which is forced ont tov form a spring that bears against the said member B to prevent the accidental longitudinal movement of the members. .When it is desired to till the box with matches, the members are brought to the position shown in Fig. 2, and then by moving them laterallyin opposite directions, they can be separated.

In Figs. 10, 11 and 12 I have shown a moditied construction embodying my invention. In these views I have illustrated a cigarette box, but it Will be understood of course that it could be used equally as Well for matches by changing its size. In this construction the member or box A is double, having two compartments, arranged end to end, and provided with the springs 4 and end openings 3 as described. A partition 17 separates the two compartments but extends only partially across the same as shown in Figs. 10 and 12, leaving an opening between one end of said partitionA and the adjacent side of the box. This side of the box is slotted or cut away as at 18, and alug 19 on the cover or memberB enters said slot 18 as shown. The coverB is provided with flanges 2O and 21 along lits sides to embrace the box, While the ends thereof are plain so that the cover can slide beyond both ends of the box. It will be noted that when the lug 19 is located opposite the end of partition 17 the ends of the box and cover are even, and that the spring presses the cigarettes against the side of the box. Vhen the parts are moved relatively in either direction the lug 19 encounters the end of a cigarette and forces it out of the end of the box, and then when the parts are returned to their normal position the cigarette can be removed.

I am aware that match boxes have been made with the sliding button or plunger for partially ejecting the matches, but in these it is difficult to operate the buttons or plungers with the hand in which the box is held; While with my box, in operating the parts with one hand it is the most natural operation and can be accomplished by simply holding the box between the index finger and thumb and moving these fingers back and forth.

I claim as myvinvention- 1. A receptacle of the kind specilied comprising a box, and ra cover having overhanging guide flanges on its opposite sides to embrace said box, the said overhanging guide ange on one side ot' the box extending only partially the length of the same, substantially as described.

2. Areceptacle of the kind specified comprising a box having an opening in its end and at one side thereof, a longitudinal slot- 5 in one of the iiat sides of the box, located opposite said opening, a slot 6 in the side 7 of the box, communicating with said slot 5, and a cover having over-hanging guide flanges on its opposite side to embrace said box, the said over-hanging guide flange on one side of the box extending only1 partially the length of the same, and a lug on said cover to enter said slots, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aiix `my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' PHILIPP SEILER.

Witnesses:

HARRY COBB KENNEDY, f RUDOLPH W. Lo'rz. 

